Mashpee health agent Glen E. Harrington has received significantly more reports and complaints of rats in residential Mashpee this year than he has in the past.

“Absolutely,” he said, when asked if Mashpee has seen an increase of reports of the furry pest. “We have gotten them before, but they have become more prevalent and more consistent.”

Mr. Harrington said that he has received reports weekly of the rodents, whereas in the past, the complaints came in about every other month, or a half-dozen times a year. Residents have spotted them in the day, which Mr. Harrington said shows the significant increase of the population, because rats are nocturnal creatures.